In our article, we take a look at two trendy pickup truck options both featuring non-traditional unibody construction, to endow them with a more SUV-like experience. Vehicles that are just perfect for a generation of buyers who have grown up with SUVs but need the loading utility of a pickup.
Read more about the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline.
Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline: At a Glance
Introduced a short while back in 2022, Hyundai's Santa Cruz sport adventure vehicle gets a few updates in trims and improved interior features for 2024.
The Honda Ridgeline is now in its second generation from 2017, and the 2024 Honda Ridgeline sees a few revisions to the exterior and a revised interior.
Interior Comparison
Gone are the days of total utilitarian truck interiors, with both of these new-generation pickup trucks pampering their occupants. Let's compare the Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline interior.
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Being closely related to the fourth-generation Tucson means a very comfy interior in its five-seater, four-door crew cab configuration is on offer.
Quality materials and a plethora of modern and desirable features are fitted, such as a fully digital 4.2-inch gauge cluster, standard 8-inch touchscreen display and Bluetooth hands-free with wireless audio streaming standard on all trims.
Standard trim includes stain and odor-resistant cloth, 6-way adjustable driver's seat and the 60/40 split tip-up lower seat cushions offer a handy luggage area. Further key features are manual air conditioning, acoustic-laminated windscreen, power windows with driver auto-down, front dual USB ports and Rear View Monitor with parking guidance.
2024 Honda Ridgeline
For 2024 the Honda Ridgeline's cabin sports a few notable changes. Firstly, the old roller-top center console is gone,replaced with traditional armrest cubby, upsized cup holders, plus a Qi wireless charger.
The infotainment touchscreen is larger at 9.0 inches and has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument cluster is now a 7.0-inch half-digital instrument cluster as standard; however, the speedometer remains analog.
Cloth seats are standard, along with automatic front power windows, front bucket seats and the dual zone climate control with rear auto climate control.
Exterior Comparison
How do the Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline compare at exterior? The Santa Cruz's bed size is slightly smaller than the Honda in both length and width; however, both offer modern exterior designs.
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz
A front-end design that mirrors the Tucson SUV offers automatic projector Bi-LED headlamps with high beam assist and LED daytime running lights.
At the rear LED tail lights, and a roof-mounted LED cargo light are standard fitments. Bold styling includes the flared wheel arches with black molding plus a lineup of stylish alloy wheels .
2024 Honda Ridgeline
The Honda Ridgeline receives a tweaked front fascia and some refreshing at the rear. The Hondas grille's mesh designs are refreshed, and a new tailgate gets the truck's name stamped into its contours.
LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, LED fog lamps, and rear LED tail lamps are all included as standard features.
Alloy wheels are fitted across the Honda lineup.
Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline Performance
Pickup trucks need to be up to lugging around both passengers plus their cargo, and this is why we're comparing the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline performance.
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz
A 2.5-liter 4-cylinder direct injection gasoline engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque rpm is standard, with a turbocharged 2.5-liter on upper trims making 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The Santa Cruz has a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs.
An eight-speed automatic transmission is fitted on the 2.5-liter base engine, and those trims equipped with a turbocharged engine use an 8-speed Wet Dual Clutch Transmission with paddle shifters.
Standard front-wheel drive is seen on lower trims, with the option of HTRAC all-wheel drive. Upper trim levels get a standard all-wheel drive drivetrain.
2024 Honda Ridgeline
The Honda continues with the sole engine fitment of the standard 3.5-liter V6 offering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque and standard all-wheel-drive system with active rear torque vectoring.
Fuel Efficiency Comparison
The ever rising cost of fuel means that owners are now more than ever keeping a close eye on fuel economy, let's share a bit more of what Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline offer.
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The base 2.5-liter engine with all-wheel drive offers 21 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. The turbocharged trims with all-wheel drive offer 19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined.
2024 Honda Ridgeline
The Honda's bigger 3.5 liter V6 engine offers fuel economy ratings of 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway driving.
Safety and Technology Differences
Both these modern trucks offer passengers a safe ride thanks to their comprehensive list of safety features.
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Plentiful safety items are standard, such as 4-wheel disc brakes with an anti-lock braking system, electronic stability control system plus a full suite of airbags.
Driver assistance features including on upper trims are forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection while Hyundai's SmartSense suite is standard on all trims that offers blind-spot collision-avoidance assist and Lane keeping assist plus many further safety features..
2024 Honda Ridgeline
Offering similar safety items as the Santa Cruz the Honda leaves out the rear side airbags and the blind spot monitor. The Honda offers a five star NHTSA Overall Safety Rating.
Pricing and Value
Let's take a look at what your hard-earned dollars get you.
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz
SE
The base trims start at $26,900 MSRP and offer all the above-mentioned standard features.
SEL
Spending $29,650 on MSRP gets further niceties such as dual automatic temperature control and remote start, among others.
Night
At a $38,460 MSRP, this trim adds the turbo charged engine and dark 20-inch alloy wheels, dark front grille and accents, dark front and rear lower fascias and black H-Tex seating surfaces.
XRT
The turbo-engined XRT at $40,100 offers all-wheel drive and XRT wide fender cladding and side steps.
Limited
The top Limited trim starts at $41,320 MSRP and adds features like Highway Driving Assist, Surround View Monitor and Blind-Spot View Monitor to the XRT spec sheet.
2024 Honda Ridgeline
Sport
Starting at $39,750 MSRP, the entry-level Ridgeline Sport offers the above-mentioned standard features.
RTL
Moving up a notch in the lineup at $42,580, buyers get leather trim and a power moonroof.
TrailSport
For 2024, the Ridgeline has a new off-road focused TrailSport trim available at $44,980. It comes with off-road suspension and all-terrain tires.
Black Edition
The highest-level Black Edition Ridgeline trim costs $46,350 and includes black leather interior, black alloy wheels, black exterior trim, and red interior LED ambient lighting.
Choosing the Right Model For You
Choosing between the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline ultimately boils down to a compromise between your budget and your heart's desires.
When making the right choice, don't forget to factor in fuel economy, running costs, and warranties. Hyundai sets the standard for warranties in the auto industry.
Get Your Hyundai Santa Cruz at Granite Hyundai
Visit the Granite Hyundai Dealership to learn more about the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz pickup range.
With an inventory of both new and pre-owned Hyundai vehicles, our friendly sales team will help you find your perfect vehicle.
